Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What does sloughing refer to in wound care?

1. Separation of necrotic tissue from viable tissue

2. Absence of tissue death

3. Softening of tissue

4. Granulation tissue formation

The correct answer is: Separation of necrotic tissue from viable tissue

Sloughing in wound care refers specifically to the process where necrotic (dead) tissue separates from viable (living) tissue. It’s an important process in wound healing, as the removal of slough can help promote the formation of healthy granulation tissue and improve healing outcomes. When slough is present, it can indicate that the wound is in a state of progress, where the body is working to eliminate dead tissue to facilitate healing. The other options present different concepts related to wound healing or tissue states, such as the absence of tissue death, which doesn't accurately describe sloughing, or the formation of granulation tissue, which occurs after slough has been effectively removed. Therefore, understanding sloughing as the separation of necrotic tissue aligns well with the goal of promoting healing in wound care.